SwiftVets.com

[CandiM]

What Lisa said--C
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“I haven’t seen anyone milk this much out of a bad boat ride since Gilligan” -- Dennis Miller

[RiflemanDD730]

I got off BOR as soon as he trashed the swifties. However, now I think the crafty old guy set up this interview.

1)At the beginning of the show he fended off an attack on Fox as being pro Swifty by referring to his and Cris Wallaces' previous criticism. Thus he established that he was a critic, allowing himself to be converted.

2)He emphacized that he read the book and his staff researched it. This put his shows credibility on the line.

3)The series of questions to O'Neill allowed John to agree with Bill on many points, setting John up as a reasonable person.

4)Bill's method of presenting every question as kind of a "middle of the road" explanation of Kerry's behavior was merely presenting the info the way the public sees it now. This allowed John to handle the questions from a non adversarial point of reference and to come across as a reasonable guy.

5)Bill slipped a knife in Kerry by suggesting that he embellished his record. He didn't do it as forcefully as we would. But I think that message got through. I mean he said it out loud!

6)He was friendly throughout the interview.

7)Bill's windup with a reminder that he read the book and a recommendation that every else do so and decide on their own was great.

Maybe a little low key but I think right on target as far as getting the general public to begin to accept the message.

[theflickster]

[USAF66-70]

[jack white]

Lisa,

This interview tonight was not indicative of O'Reilly's history on this issue. At one point he called the SBVT "slime throwers," I think. So this didn't happen in a vacuum. You are right, to a degree, about tonight but O'Reilly had made an ass out of himself for weeks, without having read the book. I do agree with you about the good publicity, but I can't forget O'Reilly's past statements when he was going for cheap applause.
'

[azpatriot]

Yes he did treat him with respect, but we also have to acknowledge that he came into this knowing he was walking into a minefield so he planed his crossing carefully.
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Proud to be an American! and member of the PAJAMAHADEEN
FedEx Kinko's: When it absolutely, positively has to be forged overnight

[minnie presley]

di anyione catch hannity just now aborn said kerry answer to fighting the war on terrorism, will be to put more police on the street,in other words he would wait till terrorist to come her and then try to fight them on our shores, what a guy weak b........s

[ArmyWife]

I understand some of the disappointment on this thread, but if you step back and look at the bigger picture, Bill O'Reilly has practically done a 180 degree turn on the SBVfT. He's got a big audience, so this is wonderful.

I have rarely seen O'Reilly hold someone over for another 5 minutes like he did tonight with O'Neill, and O'Reilly conceded almost all of the big points...to the point of presenting the information himself. What Bill doesn't understand, once again, is the military stuff...the standards for conduct and awards. It was important, though, that he went out of his way to set up the picture that John Kerry was against the war before he got to Vietnam, and therefore had an agenda over there, and a clear reason to want to finesse the system to get out of Vietnam as quickly as possible. Once people grasp that, the smaller details become less important.

O'Neill came off as being very fair towards John Kerry, and as always, very polite and gracious. This is going well.

[Mooncusser]

I am just thankful for John O'neill.

It must be a terrible burden for him and his family.

Thanks, John.
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MACV '64...65
Thu Thua, Long An

I actually won the election before I lost it.

"It is a good day to fight! It is a good day to die! Strong hearts, brave hearts to the front! Weak hearts and cowards to the rear!" (Crazy Horse)

[drjohn]

What bugged me was that while it was notable to O'Reilly that Thurlow allegedly "changed his story a little bit" (and Larry never changed anything) that It was OK for Kerry to have changed his story a LOT.

What's given short-shrift is that Kerry used that "seared" memory to influence Nicarauguan legislation in 1986.

That's not insignificant.

[vet_supporter]

I feel the important thing about the interview is everyone came off looking calm and rational.

Then, the endorsement to get Unfit for Command and READ THE BOOK !

In social psycology, it's been found that calm, rational towards the center always converts more people than extreme in either direction.

Not one negative thing was said about the book or O'Neil. The book was recommended. Whatever O'Reilly's motivation, he gave an incredible amount of free publicity with his endorsement to Read the Book.

O'Reilly stated some things that were really detrimental to Kerry but in a matter of fact way. This affects people more than a denoucement.

The appearance will have it's desired effect of getting more people to read the book and to question Kerry's character based on his actual record.

[lrb111]

I suppose it was a "youthful indiscretion" when kerry requested an early out to run for Public Office. He thought he was mature enough for that, and had some support.

I suppose it was "youthful indiscretion" when he established the VVA, and then joined the VVAW and became part of it's executive council.

The Fulbright commission didn't think it was "youthful indiscretion" when they willingly took his word for "atrocitties".

In fact, we have ample examples that he ws well thought of as rather mature.

"Sinister b-astard", yes, "youthful indiscretion", not hardly....
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said Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe. "It is inexcusable to mock service and sacrifice."
well, when even the DNC can see it,,,,, then kerry is toast.

[minnie presley]

aborn just said that kerry's answer to fighting the war on terrorism would be to put more police on the dtreetd, in other words kerry would wait till they came her then decide to fight on our own turf, what a guy, we should feel real safe I don't thin so

[Beatrice1000]

O'Reilly put in a minimal effort, tightly controlled the interview, and didn't let John speak enough. Many times Bill had a conclusion and John was trying to say something about it and Bill keep on talking -- [ok, we've solved that, next point....] At least John did get in that Kerry was cavorting with the enemy while still a naval officer -- but Bill did not pursue that. Bill agreed Kerry had "an agenda" and perhaps exaggerated his service, but made a point that silver stars were easier to get than in WWII and O'Neill agreed.

Bill seemed to want to minimize the SBVFT claims -- the fog of war and all, that Rassmann was honorable, and O'Neill agreed -- but at least O'Neill was able to say something about Kerry's convention video where supposedly all the boats left as opposed to the truth where only Kerry's boat left, and tried to say "also Cambodia" but was cut off.

Bill said well, this was 35 years ago and Kerry was a young man, and wouldn't an apology take care of the problem? O'Neill said that maybe if he had apologized 35 years ago that none of them would be here now.... and was able to slip in while being talked over, that "it was a little late for that now." [O'Neill was at ease, as usual... and how he can do that when faced with a cobra?!...] Bill was respectful -- and I was watching for that. But I had the feeling that he was now "done with this issue" and he didn't say anything about having John back.

He did indicate he wanted to show the video (I think he meant the debate) and that that would be "fun." I don't know if he means he wanted that right at that time, or if he will show it in the future.

But what I wanted Bill to say was "Y'know, when your ad first came out, I said some things I regret saying because I made judgments without doing any research, and I apologize." That admission was sorely missing. It was good he said to read the book (didn't hold it up, unless I missed it) -- but all in all, Bill was lacking enthusiasm and I don't believe he is on this story -- yet. I guess I'd give him a C+ for effort -- and I suppose for BOR, that's a leap from his prior stance.

YAY for John, to get some words in with an agenda-driven O'Reilly!!

[Skywatch]

I think Bill did only what he had to do to save face and come to more favorable terms with his fans turned critics. He moved to the middle. No more, no less. It's what he does best.
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US Army 75-78
FRONT TOWARD ENEMY